Hi guys, so today I finally started T (gel - testim), in the end I wasn't even anaemic, the results were fine. I'm so happy. But there's something that worries me a little bit; when I applied the gel today for the first time on my upper-arm / shoulder, I don't know if it means anything but there was some redness, like a few red marks that appeared out of nowhere, while there was no redness at all on my other arm, the one I didn't apply the gel to.
Could this be an allergic reaction? I've never been allergic to anything IIRC so I don't know what it looks/feels like. There was no pain or burning or anything, well maybe some burning but I can't really tell, mostly it was just that redness (which disappeared shorty after applying the gel btw), and I figured that it may just be my body reacting to the new hormones boost as it's the first time, but I thought I'd ask anyway because if it really is an allergic reaction then I should tell my endo, right? Or else the testosterone wouldn't really work, I guess? I have an appointment with her in four months, but maybe I should ask her about this first? Should I wait more days to see if there's more redness? She also said that out of all the ftm patients she's ever had that only one turned out to be allergic to this kind of gel so my being the second one would be such bad luck.
First off, congratulations on starting T. I too started with Testim and had a light rash on both my arms (I applied to both to even it out) But this only happened in the beginning for me.
Thanks for your answer! So this happened to you as well, but only in the beginning? Then it was okay, it wasn't an allergic reaction? I still don't know what to do, talk to my endo, wait more days to see if this happens again? Or is this somewhat normal at first? I worry that the T is not working on my body and I'm wasting time and money for nothing. :/
I've never been on the gel...but my advice would be to call your doctor and ask them. You don't necessarily need to make an appoinement, just call and ask. Who knows, it could be completely harmless and just normal for some skin types. But just in case, I would talk to them and make sure.
Hey quick update guys, I just applied the gel for the second time, this time on both my arms, and those red marks only appeared on one arm, the one I didn't apply the gel to yesterday. The other one was fine, and like yesterday, it didn't sting or hurt or anything, just this redness now on my other arm that by now has already disappeared. What the heck is going on???
Thanks for the advice Kade, but I worry that I may sound stupid if I call her only to ask this, in case this was a normal thing. I don't want to embarrass myself, but I guess if this keeps happening I'll have to do so. I may as well be doing this gel when it is not doing anything to my body at all, and in two weeks I supposedly have to buy more of this gel.
Congrats on starting T and good luck.
It won't sound stupid if you ask. Just careful.
(Sorry for the typo.)
Thanks guys, I'm so happy to be on T at last!
Today I was washing my arms with a sponge (I don't do that often, only normal shower) and noticed that they got those same red marks. I thought this only happened when I applied the T gel, I can't remember if this happened before T over something as simple as a sponge and soap... Maybe it's just my skin type being hyper-sensitive? It's all so weird. Will have to ask my endo, hoping I won't sound stupid...
Hey, better to sound stupid than have something bad happen. But in my experience, a good health provider will never belittle you or act condescending just because you ask a genuine question.
it's not weird at all if the area you apply the gel to gets slightly irritated. creams and gels with weird things in them can do that, and there are other things than the hormones themselves that can cause a reaction.
what you're describing doesn't sound bad at all. i myself am allergic to water, and will get red spots with what looks like a mosquito bite in the middle, every time i take a shower. but it goes away quickly, so it's not like i have to care about it.
if those red spots disappear quickly, it should be safe to use the gel. but you should call your endo if the spots get worse, stay longer, or start to itch. they really should disappear completely as your skin gets used to the gel, i think a week would be a reasonable time to wait for the spots to diminish.
but you can call any of your doctors any time if you're concerned about something. the good ones are glad to help, and no question is too stupid to them. if you're met with rejection or ridicule you should get rid of that doc asap, because that's a sign he doesn't actually care about his patients, but is only doing his job for the money.
Thanks guys! Yeah I think you're right, Taka. I've talked to my mom and she also says not to worry, that if it disappears quickly and doesn't hurt or anything then it probably means that my skin is just trying to adjust to the new gel. But if this doesn't go away or gets worse I'll definitely ask my endo, and hopefully she will take it okay. Thanks again for your help guys, I'm so glad I've found this board. And it's my fourth day on T, I couldn't be happier. :)